Invisalign Clear Aligners

Creating A Perfect Smile with the Invisalign System

Back when braces were the only option for those who wanted straight teeth, the word “orthodontics” would turn people off from seeking treatment. The old days of a mouth full of metal and bulky headgear was definitely something to be avoided, but advancements in orthodontic technology have paved the way for something revolutionary: Invisalign clear aligners — a solution that says goodbye to the metal brackets, wires, and rubber bands; a solution that allows you to straighten your teeth without anyone being able to notice.

As the name implies, Invisalign clear aligners are made of almost invisible polyurethane plastic, carefully crafted to fit comfortably over your teeth. Rather than being cemented or bonded to the teeth as metal or clear braces are, clear aligners are completely removable, making it easy to eat whatever you want, and brush your teeth like you normally do. However, taking out the aligners more often can be tempting, so you need to make sure you keep your aligners in if you want to get through your orthodontic treatment and achieve that perfect smile. Here are some other advantages of the Invisalign system:

  • Improved Oral Hygiene — Taking off your Invisalign aligners allows you to brush and floss your teeth without any metal brackets or wires in the way, meaning a cleaner, healthier mouth.
  • Low Visibility — The clear plastic aligners fit perfectly over your teeth and are practically invisible, meaning that no one will be able to tell you’re wearing any kind of appliance unless you tell them.
  • Easy Eating — When you have braces, certain foods that are crunchy or sticky can damage the brackets or wires. With Invisalign, you can take out your aligners and eat anything you’d like, as long as you brush your teeth before you put them back in!
  • Comfortable Fit — The clear Invisalign aligners are made from a soft, flexible plastic material that’s very gentle on the tissues of your mouth. Also, each aligner is made specifically for you and your teeth, so it will slide on and off comfortably.
  • Prevent Teeth Grinding — Since you need to wear your Invisalign while you sleep, your aligners will function as thin nightguards that will protect your teeth from excessive wear caused by teeth-grinding or clenching.

While Invisalign is designed to provide an alternative to braces, this treatment is not for everyone. To find out if you’re eligible for Invisalign, just schedule an appointment with The Braces Place, and we’ll discuss your treatment options after an initial consultation.

How Does Invisalign Work?

The way that braces straighten teeth has never been the problem, it’s the braces themselves that were in need of a change. That’s why Invisalign has retained the same core system that braces use: applying carefully controlled forces to teeth to move them into a better position.

Invisalign treatment begins by using a specialized computer software that takes high quality scans of your teeth, and uses them to map how your teeth need to move to create your very own perfect smile. The map of movement will be broken down in several stages, which will be transformed into a set of clear plastic aligners; one for your bottom teeth and one for your top teeth. For every stage of movement is a matching set of aligners that need to be worn for two weeks each and 20 hours a day. As you wear the sets of aligners, your teeth will slowly move into their new positioning, until you have the perfect smile you’ve been waiting for.

Invisalign For Teens

Invisalign is the perfect solution for both adults and teenages, with Invisalign Teen having a few added features that make orthodontic treatment more comfortable and effective for teens. Special “eruption tabs” in the clear aligners, which are designed to hold the appropriate amount of space open for molars that have not fully grown in. Invisalign for teens also comes with “compliance indicators” built into the aligner material, which are small colored dots that fade as the aligners are worn. This allows parents, dentists, and the teens themselves, to make sure the trays are being worn as prescribed for the two weeks necessary to move the teeth.

Caring for Your Teeth During Invisalign Treatment

While you’re going through your orthodontic treatment, maintaining a complete and consistent oral hygiene routine is crucial, especially if you want that new smile of yours to be healthy too. With the Invisalign trays, you need to make sure that you brush your teeth, floss, and rinse after every meal before putting your aligners back in. Aligners also need to be cleaned, with a light brushing with your toothbrush and cleaning with warm water. If there’s any bacteria or food particles on your teeth or in your aligner while you wear them, that bacteria can quickly turn into harmful plaque that eats away at your teeth. To make things worse, all of that bacteria and plaque is pushed up tightly against your teeth, possibly accelerating the tooth decay process.

Get Started With Invisalign Today with Your Lexington Orthodontist

At The Braces Place, we proudly offer professional orthodontic treatment to the families of Lexington, SC, so everyone can enjoy a brighter, healthier smile. If you have any questions about Invisalign treatment, feel free to reach out to us, and we’ll be more than happy to help you. If you want to transform your smile, contact The Braces Place and get started today!